Visa and entry requirements for Dominica

Visa and entry requirements for Dominica

Dominica

Visa Entry

Citizens from Mainland China need to obtain a visa in advance to enter Dominica. Since many embassies in China are temporarily closed to the public, applicants need to apply the visa directly from the Ministry of Labor directly.  Holders of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region passports can enter Dominica visa-free.

There are four main types of Dominic visas: diplomatic, tourist, business and student. To apply for a visa, you must provide a letter of invitation, proof of the applicant's or sponsor's bank account, proof of employment, etc. (all the above materials must be translated into English and notarized and certified) and two passport photos.  The visa fee is $52.

If you need to continue your stay after the expiry of your visa, you may apply for an extension from the Department of Labour.

Dominica’s "Immigration and Passport Act" is applicable to entry and exit of Dominica, and relevant personnel must submit passports and entry and exit registration cards to Dominica immigration officials when entering or leaving the country.  The Dominica Immigration Bureau strictly monitors illegal immigrants and arrests them as soon as they are discovered.  Those who enter the country with a forged visa can be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail, and overstaying will also be punished.

In practice, Dominica implements a conditional visa-free policy for Chinese tourists. Chinese citizens who only visit Dominica for the purpose of travelling, if they can provide their round trip tickets, full hotel bookings etc. materials, bring sufficient travel expenses or proof that they are financially able to pay for the travel, and are sufficient to convince the airport immigration officer that you are no intention to stay live in Dominica, Visa-free entry is allowed, and the stay period in Dominica will not exceed 21 days.

For details, please refer to the Visitors section of the Dominica government website.

 The customs & epidemic prevention

Dominican Customs implements international practices, and inbound passengers clear the customs after inspection.  Visitors are prohibited from carrying weapons, religious propaganda materials, drugs and other prohibited items, meat products, fruits and agricultural products.  Anyone who carrying cash of 10,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars (3,704 US dollars) or more must declare.  There are also strict limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco that can be brought into the country (no more than 200 cigarettes and no more than 2 litres of alcohol).

Residence & Naturalization

If Chinese citizens want to work in Dominica, they must apply for a working permit from the relevant authorities.  For the first time, they should get an application form and a medical examination form from the Ministry of Labor, on which there are various application procedures.

Under the Dominica law, you can apply for a permanent residence permit if you staying in Dominica for five consecutive years.  Those who have lived in Dominica for seven consecutive years, those who born in Dominica whose parents at the time of their birth were permanent residents of Dominica, those who intermarried with Dominica citizens, or children under the age of 18 adopted by Dominica citizens may apply for naturalization.

For information on applying for working permit, residence permit and naturalization, please refer to the Government Service section of the Dominica government website.

Products and Price of Commodities

Dominica's products are mainly agricultural products.  There are few varieties of local living materials and the prices are higher.

　　The local currency is Eastern Canadian dollars, and the Eastern Canadian dollar is freely convertible with the U.S. dollar and the Euro.  One U.S. dollar can be converted into 2.67 East Caribbean dollars (fixed exchange rate), and one East Caribbean dollar can be converted into 2.35 yuan (converted on January 30, 2013). Since March 1, 2006, the Dominica government has imposed a 15% value-added tax on goods and services.

　　 Dominica's banking and financial industries are relatively developed, and large supermarkets accept credit cards and checks.  Generally, the small shops accept cash only.

Medical Insurance

Medical care level is lower in Dominica, with only two hospitals, in the capital Roseau, and the second largest city Portsmouth.  Hospitals are poorly equipped, short of medical staff and limited in services, medicines are imported from the United States, France and other countries.

Drugs provided by public hospitals are usually free of charge, and those not available in hospitals need to be purchased from drugstores.  Private clinic is at one's own expense.  Local herbs are also used in the folk.  There are fewer foreigners in Dominica, and they enjoy the same treatment as natives in medical treatment.  There are no strict medical insurance requirements.

At the request of the Dominican government, the Chinese government has sent a number of medical experts to Dominica to work in the Princess Margaret Hospital to assist the local medical and health work.

Dominica is prone to mosquitoes during the rainy season, and there was a small outbreak of dengue fever in 2013. Visitors are advised to bring their own anti-mosquito medicines, such as balm and balsam.